Issue - meetings

The item is ‘Warm Water Swimming Provision within the refurbishment plans for Bath Sports and Leisure Centre and Keynsham Leisure Centre’ – the report is attached. There will be a presentation at the meeting.

The Panel received a presentation on ‘Warm Water Swimming in Bath and North East Somerset’ from Marc HigginsTeam Manager – Leisure and Business Development which covered the following issues:

·  The Issue

·  Partner Agencies

·  The Requests 1, 2 and 3

·  Other Options considered

·  Additional costs

·  Industry Guidance – PWTAG

·  Summary

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Hale noted that the consultation does not align with what WWISE are asking for and seems more relevant to competitive swimming. The officer explained that Sport England and the ASA do in fact have the remit for swimming for disabled people and they have said that there is no business case for including the type of facility requested by WWISE. The recommendation is about reasonable adjustment.

Councillor Hale asked if there is scope at either Bath or Keynsham to make one (training) pool into a warm water facility. The officer explained that this would cost £1million and a loss of funding if this is done in Bath.

Councillor Simmons suggested that WWISE set up a charity to provide what is requested as it will not stand up to public funding at the moment. Samantha Jones, Inclusive Communities Officer explained that the authority has to be sure that there is enough need for a facility such as this as it is responsible for spending public money and balancing the needs of all groups. She added that there are two groups - Independent Equalities Advisory Group and Bath Access Group already in existence which could be attended by the WWISE members should there be any future issues for discussion.

Councillor Butters thanked Susan Charles and Pamela Galloway for their work on this. Councillor Bull stated that he is sorry the request is irreconcilable.